Jan 11, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola (80) celebrates with wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) after a touchdown during the first quarter of the 2013 AFC divisional playoff football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
While they escaped with a narrow 27-26 victory over the New York Giants, the injury list continued to grow for the New England Patriots on Sunday. Already dealing with multiple injuries across the offensive line, missing defensive star Jamie Collins the last two weeks with an undisclosed illness and losing RB Dion Lewis for the season last week, the Patriots could not seemingly handle much more on the injury front.
Well, now they have to deal with the loss of star wide receiver Julian Edelman, who broke his foot in the first quarter against the Giants on Sunday. Edelman will go under for surgery on Monday, but many reports suggest that the Patriots are optimistic about his return later in the season.
Edelman is arguably the number one receiving target for Tom Brady in the Patriots’ offense, and his absence is certainly going to be felt. Fellow receiver Danny Amendola is a natural replacement for what Edelman does in the Patriots’ offense, but it is unfair to expect him to completely replace the production of Edelman.
Also, Amendola already has a fairly large role in the Patriots’ offense. Even if he is able to step up and replace Edelman, someone will have to replace Amendola’s former role in the offense.
Aaron Dobson played a larger role in the offense when Edelman went down, but excuse me for not believing in his ability to make a consistent impact at this point. Keshawn Martin has been dealing with a hamstring injury, but he will certainly be another option to take on a larger role in the offense now too.
Without Edelman, Amendola and Brandon LaFell are the obvious starters at the wide receiver position for the Patriots. Obviously, Rob Gronkowski plays a massive role in the offense, lining up as a receiver a ton, but as far as players who are considered actual wide receivers, Amendola and LaFell are the only consistent options.
Dobson and Martin will fill out the depth, and perhaps special teams ace Matthew Slater could carve out a role as well, but it is safe to say that the Patriots are not exactly loaded with options at wide receiver.
With the trade deadline behind us, free agency is the only way for New England to patch up this new-found hole in their roster. Obviously, there are not many exciting options out there, but there are a few guys who could step up and play a role in this offense, even if it is a minor one.
Here are five free agent wide receivers who the Patriots should consider bringing in.
Next: Veteran Who Team Has Shown Interest
Hakeem Nicks
Oct 5, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts receiver Hakeem Nicks(14) makes a catch over a Baltimore Ravens defender at Lucas Oil Stadium. Colts won, 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
While I am not sure that the Patriots will sign a player off of free agency, they will undoubtedly be checking their options. It is hard to pin-point exactly who they will be interested in, but if I was forced to make one prediction on who they will sign, Hakeem Nicks would be my choice.
The Patriots actually had Nicks in for a visit this past week, as he worked out for the team. Obviously, they did not see enough to sign him on the spot, but they are undoubtedly thinking more about it right now.
Nicks is not the physical presence at the wide receiver position that he once was, but he was solid with the Indianapolis Colts last season. The 27-year-old Nicks had 38 receptions for 405 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games (six starts) with the Colts last season. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound receiver has a history of success in the past, and it is not inconceivable to think he could get some mojo back catching passes from Brady.
Signing Nicks would allow the Patriots to put Amendola primarily in the slot to replace Edelman, and give them a couple of veteran options on the outside. Dobson probably has more upside, but him actually reaching it at this point seems extremely unlikely. Signing Nicks would give the Patriots more security should Dobson falter again.
Next: A More Out of the Box Veteran Option
Santana Moss
Nov 23, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss (89) stands on the field before the start of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi
Now, I will admit that this one is much more of a reach, but stick with me. If the Patriots want to get creative in who they bring in help fill in for Edelman, 14-year NFL veteran Santana Moss should be one their list.
Moss was not signed by any teams this off season, after playing out his contract with the Washington Redskins. He had become a bit of an after-thought in Washington in recent years, finishing with only 10 receptions for 116 yards in 10 games last season.
That being said, Moss had 42 receptions for 452 and two touchdowns in 2014, and 41/573/8 back in 2013. I know it’s a bit of a reach, but he put up those numbers in extremely limited playing time, and it wasn’t that long ago.
The Patriots’ passing offense is typically difficult for a player to come and pick up right away. However, Moss is known as a smart and aware player on the field, and he has certainly been around the block. I am not saying he would be able to step in and handle a full load, but I imagine Moss would pick up the offense much better than most free agent additions would. He may have learned a thing or two during his 14 years in the league.
Moss’ possible value to the Patriots would include the ability to play both on the outside and inside. Instead of giving the full load of slot plays to Amendola, signing Moss would allow the Patriots to throw him in there to run some of the underneath stuff. He could also help fill Amendola’s prior role, as he has a similar skill-set.
Amendola also seems likely to take-over the punt returning duties for the Patriots with Edelman out. Moss has a ton of punt return experience, and would be a nice back-up option for the team at times. He is a sure-handed returner who they could count on to not fumble the ball.
Moss did not want to retire, he just never got another shot to play. At this point, he may not be interested in a return, but I think he is a guy who the Patriots should call up. They are in a pinch, and a veteran receiver who can learn quickly makes a lot of sense.
Next: A Relatively Familiar Face
Reggie Wayne
Nov 3, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne (87) catches a touchdown pass against the New York Giants during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. The Colts defeated the Giants 40-24. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The Patriots signed Reggie Wayne as a free agent late this off season, but he did not make much of an impact for the team. After only two weeks on the roster, the two sides mutually parted ways, and Wayne has not landed on his feet with another team.
While rumors surfaced of the team and Wayne having a rough parting, Bill Belichick had nothing but nice things to say about Wayne as he walked out the door.
"“Obviously, Reggie’s time here was brief but it only confirmed what I already thought — he is a true professional who represents every positive attribute a player should emulate,” Belichick said in a statement released from the team."
This may also be a bit of a long-shot, but I could certainly see Belichick calling Wayne up to see what he thinks. Sure, he was only around for two weeks, but he undoubtedly learned some of the offense while he was with the team. Also, similarly to Moss, Wayne is a long-time veteran who would likely be able to pick up enough to make an impact anyway.
Wayne is not the same player that he once was, but a major part of his game in the past was sharp route running skills and incredibly consistent hands. Those are two things they typically do not deteriorate much with age, and he still hauled in 64 receptions for 779 yards and two scores with the Colts last year.
I am not sure if Wayne would be interested, but I think it is worth a call for the Patriots, as he could make an impact for this team.
Next: Possible Long Term Option With Upside
Terrelle Pryor
Jul 30, 2015; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Terrelle Pryor (87) catches a pass during training camp at the Cleveland Browns practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
The three players mentioned above would all likely be quick short-term options to help the Patriots get by without the services of Edelman. If they are interested in signing quarterback turned wide receiver Terrelle Pryor, it could not only help them now, but in the future.
Pryor had some NFL success at the quarterback position, but after bouncing around the league a bit through the off season, the Cleveland Browns took a shot at him as a wide receiver. Pryor has the size (6-foot-5, 232 pounds), speed (sub-4.4 40-yard dash coming out of college) and athleticism that scouts dream of at the position, but his skills are extremely raw.
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Pryor has the looks of a wide receiver, but he has never really played the position before. The Browns gave him a chance to prove himself, and he obviously showed enough to stick around for a while, but once they had a tough decision to make, they did not hesitate to let him go.
The measurables on a player is always fun to dream on, and Pryor certainly has everything you would want at the position. That being said, it is hard to imagine him succeeding at a brand-new position this far into his NFL career.
After Pryor was released by the Browns back in September, the Patriots were the first team to call him in for a workout. They passed on offering him a contract, and Pryor has gone to four other workouts without receiving a contract since, but that shows that the team was at least curious on what he could do.
According to Ashley Fox of ESPN, Pryor is now working on his trade as an NFL receiver. He has been working out with NFL stars Antonio Brown and Mike Evans, and the suspended Josh Gordon. Even more notable, Pryor has been working closely with NFL legend and former Patriots’ star Randy Moss.
With all of that WR ability working with Pryor, I think it is fair to think he has probably improved since the Patriots last worked him out. I do not know if he could actually come in and help fill the absence of Edelman, but working with Moss simply must have helped Pryor grow as a receiver.
He has all of the skills to make a mark in the NFL as a wide receiver, and the Patriots obviously had interest at one time. What would it hurt to have him come in and workout again? Might as well see what he can do, now that you have an obvious need.
Next: Practice Squad Call-Up
Chris Harper
Oct 18, 2014; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears wide receiver Chris Harper (6) makes a one-handed touchdown catch over UCLA Bruins defensive back Ishmael Adams (1) in the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
The last player on this list may kind of be cheating as he is not a free agent, but the Patriots would have to call him up from the practice squad, so it kind of count. Probably more likely than any free agent addition is the Patriots calling practice squad wide receiver Chris Harper up to the active roster.
Harper joined the Patriots as an undrafted free agent out of Cal this season. Harper came into camp and quickly impressed the coaching staff, showing obvious athleticism and nice big-play ability.
He made some noise during the preseason, earning himself a spot on the Patriots’ active roster to open the season. He was active for their first game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but was released by the team the next week. Harper passed through waivers and was placed on the Patriots’ practice squad, which is where he has been ever since.
Next: Patriots Rally to Defeat Giants: Full Recap and Highlights
He has practiced with the team all year, so it is safe to say he has a least some kind of handle on the playbook. Plus, he has impressed the coaching staff before, so they clearly think there is something there. Bringing Harper back up to the active roster may just be the safe play, but he is a talented player who could legitimately step in and make an impact.
The safe play is not necessarily the wrong play, as there is certainly some upside with Harper here.